-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
So torn , what should I do ?
- Thread starter Joewoowoo
- Start date
I am in the same boat as you.... Waiting and wondering. Bionic maybe very soon.
Here is an article from yesterday:
Ask Maggie: HTC Thunderbolt vs. Droid Bionic | Signal Strength - CNET News
Here is an article from yesterday:
Ask Maggie: HTC Thunderbolt vs. Droid Bionic | Signal Strength - CNET News
esmith818
Android Enthusiast
Like you, I have the original Droid and am ready for a new phone. I almost bought the TB over the weekend, but I'm not yet eligible for a new 1 year contract (can only renew a 2-year). I have to wait until July at which point I can use my last NE2 rebate and sign a 1-year agreement. By then, I should have a chance to compare the Bionic and the TB first hand. I think I'll wait another few months, especially in light of the negative reviews coming in on battery life for the TB.
YankeeDudeL
Android Expert
I truly believe only a sucker could go for the TB. It's going to be very outdated, very quickly. If I knew I could only get one phone for the next year, I wouldn't lock it up on a phone that can't get me through a work day. Knowing when the Bionic was going to drop would be a big help. They better announce something soon.
BTW, I'm also I Day 1, D1 owner and very ready for my next device.
BTW, I'm also I Day 1, D1 owner and very ready for my next device.
cybercruiser
Android Enthusiast
I bought the Droid 1, the very first day it was available, and I'm not up for next discount phone until July 6th, I assume that's the same for the rest of you??
So far, the leader in my book is the Bionic(hate the name), but it's got the best specs, for verizon, so far. The Targa(if it's real) could be better, will depend on how soon it's available to see if I'd wait for it.
So far, the leader in my book is the Bionic(hate the name), but it's got the best specs, for verizon, so far. The Targa(if it's real) could be better, will depend on how soon it's available to see if I'd wait for it.
YankeeDudeL
Android Expert
I have a family plan with 5 lines, two of which have upgrades. One of which will be getting my Droid. I'm looking to the Bionic, but def keeping a close watch on what's coming immediately following.
I'd wait until late May at least. By that time, hopefully Droid Bionic, LG Revolution, Samsung Stealth are all released and there will be some comparison reviews, benchmarks. In the second half, VZW will be getting Incredible 2, SGS2 and new wave of Moto's Droid phones (DX2, D3). Tbolt is the very first new android phone in VZW this year, which will be quickly outdated by some of those phones if not all of them.
I don't like Tbolt as it's thick, heavy and draining battery like like crazy in 4G mode and there is no switch to turn 4G off.
I don't like Tbolt as it's thick, heavy and draining battery like like crazy in 4G mode and there is no switch to turn 4G off.
Yeah, I am with jinwons. The TB was kind of a disappointment, and if you like the stock Android UI, you won't like Sense. (The dialer especially is re-organized, and the favorites tab is GONE.)
Wait until the new phones start coming over the next few months: the Bionic, the Droid X2, and the new Samsung phones... once they're out in the real world, you'll be able to read up on the good and bad.
Wait until the new phones start coming over the next few months: the Bionic, the Droid X2, and the new Samsung phones... once they're out in the real world, you'll be able to read up on the good and bad.
SirKronan
Android Expert
The Bionic is getting a gigantor battery, and it has higher resolution on the same size screen as the TB, and it has HDMI out.
A heavily encrypted bootloader (which is not assured yet, but most likely) is one of its negatives. If you compare it to the Atrix, the Atrix is vastly superior in most ways where they differ (screen, fingerprint reader, form factor, amount of RAM, versatility of accessories/options, etc.) But it still might be the best we can get on VZ for a while.
rushmore
Extreme Android User
As long as it can be rooted so I can use Setcpu, wifi tether, Titanium BU and root explorer, I am good.
I hate to say this, but I should also consider switching carrier to AT&T-mobile this year. It feels like VZW is putting some brake on their android push since they got iPhone4 while other carriers are seriously stepping up their android line.
LG Optimus 2X (Tegra2) just landed on T-mobile as G2x and this one has HSPA+ 42Mbps to my surprise. Optimus 3D (dual core OMAP4, dual channel memory) just went to AT&T as Thrill 4G. HTC just announced Evo 3D (1.2Ghz dual core snapdragon, qHD screen, without Wimax) on Sprint which I think what Tbolt should have been, though I will never go to Sprint. And it looks like SGS2 (Exynos, SAMOLED+) with HSPA+ will appear on AT&T first well before VZW gets SGS2. If none of new LTE phones soon to be released satisfies me and SGS2 gets too delayed for VZW, I should seriously consider switching to GSM carrier.
LG Optimus 2X (Tegra2) just landed on T-mobile as G2x and this one has HSPA+ 42Mbps to my surprise. Optimus 3D (dual core OMAP4, dual channel memory) just went to AT&T as Thrill 4G. HTC just announced Evo 3D (1.2Ghz dual core snapdragon, qHD screen, without Wimax) on Sprint which I think what Tbolt should have been, though I will never go to Sprint. And it looks like SGS2 (Exynos, SAMOLED+) with HSPA+ will appear on AT&T first well before VZW gets SGS2. If none of new LTE phones soon to be released satisfies me and SGS2 gets too delayed for VZW, I should seriously consider switching to GSM carrier.
SirKronan
Android Expert
Well, if the Stealth is dual core, has HDMI out, the 8MP photo camera, 1080p video, then it will likely replace the LG Revolution and Bionic which are currently at the top of my list.
I'm also in the same boat (og droid 1). My father started the VZ account years ago, but several years ago I took over paying the bill (5 lines) so I get the early upgrade. If it comes in April (21st as rumored), I will probably grab that. My brother would like me to upgrade also, so he doesn't have to pay the $90 (or whatever it is) deductible for his Droid 1 (cracked screen, but still very usable) as I will give him mine when I upgrade. Works out for everyone. His upgrade is in August, so he will probably 1 up me then...lol
By the way, I was blown away by the Bionic when I messed with it at CES, and that was on pre-production hardware and wasn't running Gingerbread (was told the reason for the delay in release was so they could launch with Gingerbread)...
By the way, I was blown away by the Bionic when I messed with it at CES, and that was on pre-production hardware and wasn't running Gingerbread (was told the reason for the delay in release was so they could launch with Gingerbread)...
SirKronan
Android Expert
Ooh, waiting for a Gingerbread release worries me a bit. Verizon tends to test, test, test new OS releases. Hopefully Motorola is supremely on top of this one so the latest OS doesn't delay the release too much.
SirKronan
Android Expert
I hear ya there! I still have my skepticism about Sense being as snappy overall as ADW.Launcher or the stock android launcher, even if it's the latest and greatest.
The biggest killer against the TB for me is the no HDMI out. Why would they downgrade it at least in that regard, vs. the EVO?
Leniz
Newbie
Hey guys, first time posting here...long time lurker. So I'm set on getting the Bionic. I was hoping to hear something from CTIA about it, but no luck. Also, I'm stoked with the announcement that Verizon will be expanding LTE by the end of the year to a ton more markets...I live in Sac. One last thing, but I'm curious. It seems many are opposed to just buying the phone straight from a Verizon retail/online store. Why is this?
Anyways, looking forward to bantering with you guys.
Anyways, looking forward to bantering with you guys.
WELCOME!!!!
I imagine most are against buying it outright because we will use it for atleast 1-2 years so why not get a discount?
Leniz
Newbie
Not sure what you mean by the discount. I believe Verizon discounts the phone on a 1 or 2 year contract. Are you talking about additional rebates? I'll actually be getting a discount as an IBMer so that makes it pretty worthwhile for me to get it through them.
Yes the discount for buying under contract.
If you can get the contract pricing without the contract go that route.
But it can usually be nearly 50% of the cost of the phone just shaved off by using a contract.
Leniz
Newbie
Think I'm still a little confused though. So why would someone get the phone from a Best Buy or other online vendor instead of just straight from Verizon? You still have to sign a 1-2 year contract if you want the subsidized price.